Soldier Enhancement Program

There is a process in the Army that was established to help soldiers get needed commercial items fielded in a short period of time. The Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) was congressionally approved in 1989, initially for the "foot soldier," but revised in 1992 to include all soldiers. The objective of the SEP is to increase the lethality, survivability, mobility, command and control, and sustainability of the soldier through an accelerated acquisition process to get lighter, more lethal weapons and improved "soldier items" into the hands of soldiers quicker. SEP recommendations from soldiers and their commanders are highly encouraged. Participation by soldiers and their commands enhances the credibility of the program and ensures that SEP dollars are focused where they will do the most good.

Proposals go to the SEP Council, which convenes quarterly. To qualify for a SEP project, a proposal must be--

* An item that will be worn, carried, or consumed by individuals in a tactical environment.

* A nondevelopmental item that is now commercially available, off-the-shelf.

* An item soldiers are buying with their own money to make life better in the field.

Upon approval by the SEP Council, the proposal will be assigned to one of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) proponent schools to develop a tailored capability development document (CDD) for the item, and the CDD will be approved by that school's commandant to expedite the process. For some items, such as other government agency items or items in the General Services Administration catalog, a CDD may not be required.

The SEP is not an incentive awards program. No monetary awards are given for proposals that are adopted for use and that result in savings to the government.

Current programs in various stages of the SEP process include the following:

* Rapid wall-breaching kit

* XM102 reloadable hand grenade

* M9 pistol rail

* Blast-protection footwear

* Enhanced fuel bar

* Electric stun device

* Petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL) handler gloves

* Family of metal detectors

* Semiautomatic sniper system

* Close combat mission capability kit

* Close quarters battle kit

* Modular accessory shotgun

* Family of suppressors

* Integrated laser white-light pointer

* 12-gauge extended-range nonlethal round

* XM104 nonlethal bursting hand grenade

* Fuel handler coveralls

* Future handgun system

* Military operations in urban terrain lifeline

* Maxillofacial shield

SEP proposals can be submitted through the automated process at <http://peosoldier.army.mil>. Proposal forms can be obtained by e-mailing Sergeant Major Thomas House or Mr. Ken Sutton at the TRADOC System Manager-Soldier office at Fort Benning, Georgia, at <houset@benning.army.mil> or <suttonk@benning.army.mil> or calling DSN 835-1189/6047/3327 or commercial (706)545-1189/6047/3327 or mailing--

Mr. Ken Sutton

6751 Constitution Loop

Building 4, Room 632

Fort Benning, Georgia 31905

The Assistant TRADOC System Manager-Soldier at Fort Knox, Kentucky, can also provide information and SEP proposal forms. E-mail Lieutenant Colonel Craig Carson at <craig.carson@knox.army.mil> or Mr. Larry T. Hasty at larry.hasty@knox.army.mil or call DSN 464-3662/3519 or commercial (502) 624-3662/3519.

By Sergeant Major Thomas House and Mr. Larry T. Hasty

Sergeant Major House is the TRADOC Systems Manager-Soldier sergeant major, Fort Benning, Georgia.

Mr. Hasty is the deputy and senior technical advisor to the Assistant TRADOC Systems Manager-Soldier at the U.S. Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

COPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group